| Lessons from the Vine |
A Closer Look at Legalism.....I have fallen into the trap of legalism time and time again. Given my natural tendency toward pride and perfectionism I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised and yet many times I am. Unfortunately legalism doesn't just show up one day but is slowly ....ever so slowly, born into existence. I think for me it always starts out with a desire I have to do what's right in God's sight but before I know it, legalism takes root and completely strangles my good intentions. In the end, it promotes all things ungodly....condemnation and division of the body of Christ to name a few. It's what causes me to climb up on that pedestal of self-righteousness and look down my nose critically upon others for not leading as "holy" of a life as I(at least in my own deluded mind) The truth is, my righteousness is nothing but filthy rags compared to the righteousness of God.I have been humbled by the Lord on numerous occasions b/c of this particular sin and am finding that I must constantly lay this down at the foot of the cross. So many times I can take such a hard stance on an issue only to have the Lord, once again, prove me wrong. Not so much that I am wrong in what I believe but rather wrong in my belief that what is right for me is right for everyone. To say it in other words......no room for the grace of God. Now obviously, I am not speaking of matters which are direct commands of God, but instead those matters that are to be between a person(s) and God. Some examples in which I am speaking of are family size, education, music preference, style of dress, and even homemaking and child rearing. Now, before you begin throwing the rotten tomatoes, please hear me out. I agree that the Bible does touch on some of these things, and no doubt if we are truly seeking the Lord concerning these things, He can and will indeed speak to us through His Word, but ultimately the way the Lord leads each individual person and/or family may look different. I am learning that what is best for me, may not be best for the next person. Even though God has no doubt called me to live the way I live, He may at times call others differently for reasons that are beyond my own limited understanding. I have to remind myself often that His ways are above my ways. We are all called to "study to shew thyself approved unto God" and as long as we are doing that then I believe that is what matters most. This has been a very hard thing for me to accept b/c I am passionate about so much in my life. However, I do not wish for my zeal to push others away. If people look at me and see a woman who lives piously according to a set of rules and regulations and is void of grace and mercy, I am of very little use in the kingdom of God. So for those who have seen this ugly side of me and have been rubbed the wrong way, I wish to apologize. I am truly sorry and wish to be transparent regarding my own sinfulness. I am a work in progress and am certainly not above reproach. God has been so rich in mercy to me. His grace is constantly being poured out upon my life, humbling me to the core. How I long to be rich in this same mercy and grace toward others. 2:22 PM - Oct. 2, 2007 - post comment
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Description Sharing lessons learned from "The Vine" "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." Home User Profile Archives Recent Entries - take the time..... - The day that true love died.... - Happy New Year! - Merry Christmas!!!! - I'm still alive..... |